The Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia

It isn't long at only 6,426 yards from the back tees, but it has awkward angles off the tee that, with all the elevation changes, can get you in a peck of trouble.

Many of the approach shots are no piece of cake, either, playing into difficult greens. I haven't mentioned the red clay bunkers yet, have I? Or Hard Labor Creek itself, which makes its presence known on five holes.

All this being said, the Creek at Hard Labor can be a very enjoyable day on the course, especially with green fees in the $35-$45 range.

First of all, it's in a beautiful setting in a state park, giving it a pastoral, home-free layout.

It's laid out nicely in an upland pine and hardwood forest, with steep-walled creek bottoms and granite outcroppings. It also happens to be one of the best places to see wildlife in north Georgia, with ducks, geese on the man-made lakes, deer, turkeys, river otters, beavers, and, of course, yellow-rumped warblers.

There's also loblolly pine and flowering dogwood in this hilly part of the Piedmont, and it's a beautiful place to golf, especially in the fall and spring.

The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 2

No. 2 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is a tough, downhill par 4.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 3

No. 3 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is a 152-yard par 3 over water.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 5

No. 5 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is a par 3 with water left that cuts in front of the green.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 6

No. 6 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is a par 4 with a narrowing, tree-lined fairway.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 7

No. 7 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is an uphill, 350-yard par 4.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 9

No. 9 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is the No. 1 handicap hole.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 10

No. 10 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, has a tricky approach, usually with a downhill lie.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - No. 13

No. 13 at the Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, is a serpentine par 5.

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park

The Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia

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The Creek at Hard Labor State Park - Bermuda greens

The Creek at Hard Labor State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, has excellent Champion Bermuda greens.